Finding the Right Style of BikeOct 15 '01 Write an essay on this topic.
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The Bottom Line Know where you ride, know how much you ride, and test ride lots and lots and lots of different bikes. No two are really the same.
Finding the right bike is as simple as deciding where you are going to ride and how much you are going to ride. For instance, you need to know if you are looking for a road bike, a mountain bike, or something in between. If you do all (as in 100%) of your riding on pavement, a road bike might be the right choice. Road bike wheels are a bit larger in diameter to mountain wheels, and the tires are much more narrow and require a higher amount of air pressure, reducing the rolling resistance which means less energy to go faster. I don't know any cyclists that don't want that. However, if you plan to do all of your riding off road, a mountain bike is the most practical option you have. Mountain bikes are built to be sturdier, have smaller diameter wheels which allow for quicker acceleration and faster handling, and the tires are much wider and run at a much lower air pressure which allows for a greater cushin of air around the rim, offering better traction on loose dirt and mud, as well as a much smoother ride over rough terrain. If you plan on doing some commuting on the pavement and some light trail riding, what you are going to want is what's called a hybrid. It has a flat handlebar like a mountain bike, as well as mostly mountain bike components, but usually have a 700c wheel size like road bikes, but with a tire that's somewhere between the high pressure skinny road tires and the low pressure fat mountain bike tires. When you go into your local bike shop, have an idea what kind of bike you want, and make sure you test ride a lot of different bikes at a lot of different price points. The most expensive bike is not neccessarily the best fit for your riding style and/or budget.  |
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